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Contract Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Senior Dam Engineer

Portland, OR

$110K - $152K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience with project and contract management Desired Skills/Experience: * Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or engineering Geology * Experience in construction/project scheduling

Project Engineer 3

Vancouver, WA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Project Engineering Market: Industrial Employment Type: Full Time Position Overview The Project ... Develop complete understanding of contract plans and specifications. * Review, analyze and resolve ...

The Project Engineer (PE) is responsible for assisting the projects teams with obtaining ... Working knowledge of the contract documents including all drawings and specifications * Clearly ...

Project Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$70K - $102K/yr

Project Engineer Department: Project Management Employment Type: Full Time Location: Portland, OR ... Contract and Scope • Assists Project Manager to prepare subcontractor and vendor scopes of work ...

Type: Contract/Temporary * Job #97727 Mountain Ltd. has an opening for Road Move Engineer in the Portland, OR area! The Road Move Engineer will perform all aspects of OSP Road Move engineering ...

Engineer I

Saint Helens, OR · On-site

$6.3K - $7.6K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

ENGINEER I The City of St. Helens is seeking a full-time Engineer I to join the City's Public Works ... contract administration, and budget tracking for public works projects; coordinating with ...

Type: Contract/Temporary * Job #97727 Mountain Ltd. has an opening for Road Move Engineer in the Portland, OR area! The Road Move Engineer will perform all aspects of OSP Road Move engineering ...

Engineer I

Saint Helens, OR · On-site

$6.3K - $7.6K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

ENGINEER IThe City of St. Helens is seeking a full-time Engineer I to join the City's Public Works ... contract administration, and budget tracking for public works projects; coordinating with ...

Engineer I

Saint Helens, OR · On-site

$6.3K - $7.6K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

ENGINEER I The City of St. Helens is seeking a full-time Engineer I to join the City's Public Works ... contract administration, and budget tracking for public works projects; coordinating with ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$31

$51

$105

How much do contract engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract engineer in Portland, OR is $51.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.61 and $53.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract engineer?

Contract Engineers are professionals who manage and oversee contracts related to engineering projects. They are responsible for drafting, evaluating, negotiating, and executing contracts between companies and clients, vendors, or subcontractors. Their work ensures that all terms and requirements are clear, legal, and beneficial to all parties involved. Contract Engineers also help resolve disputes, monitor compliance, and manage project risks related to contractual obligations.

What does a contract engineer do?

As a contract engineer, you provide temporary support for a company that needs help. In this role, you may help design a product or structure, provide guidance to builders working off of your plans, or evaluate a company's existing system to be sure the proposed engineering plan matches their capabilities. Many aspects of this job depend on the type of engineering support a company needs. For example, some contract engineers focus heavily on the mechanical aspects of a project, while others help hire contractors, evaluate proposals, and answer questions related to the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, contract management, and project planning, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with contract management software, procurement systems, and industry-specific regulations or certifications such as PMP or NEC is often required. Strong negotiation, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage client expectations and resolve contract disputes. These abilities ensure contracts are delivered on time, within budget, and meet both technical and legal requirements.

What are some common challenges contract engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Contract Engineers often juggle several projects at once, each with distinct timelines, client expectations, and compliance requirements. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication across all stakeholders while maintaining meticulous documentation and meeting strict deadlines. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong organizational skills and adaptability to shifting project priorities. Collaborating closely with legal, procurement, and technical teams is essential to resolve issues quickly and keep projects on track.

What is the difference between Contract Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectContract EngineerProject Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., PE, PMP)Bachelor's in Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., PMP)
Work EnvironmentTemporary or project-specific roles, often freelance or consultingPermanent or long-term roles within projects
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas, construction, manufacturing, consulting firmsConstruction, engineering firms, infrastructure projects
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Contract Engineers typically work on a temporary basis, focusing on specific projects or tasks, often with consulting firms or as freelancers. Project Engineers are usually employed full-time within organizations, managing ongoing projects from start to finish. Both roles require engineering credentials and certifications, but their employment types and work environments differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Engineer jobs in Portland, OR?

For Contract Engineer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Contract Engineer jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Contract Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,939 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

$110K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United States.

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.

Benefit options include:

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
  • Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
  • Long-term disability
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
  • Bonus program
  • Paid time off
  • 9 Paid Holidays
  • Wellness program
  • Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description: 

Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation.  The Seattle office is seeking a Senior Dam Engineer with expertise and practical experience in geotechnical engineering to support our growing office and region.  We are looking for experienced, motivated candidates with attention to detail, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong multi-disciplinary team. 

The Seattle office of Schnabel focuses on the evaluation and design of dams, structures, and facilities as well as advancing our practice of risk informed decision making within our dam engineering group. Example projects include the inspection, evaluation and design of embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, tunnels and instrumentation, and performing risk assessments for dam owners for sites located across the United States.

Job Responsibilities:

Perform the following dam engineering tasks:

  • Provide engineering expertise, technical oversight and overall management of dam engineering projects.  Engineering services may include inspection, investigation, evaluation, analysis, design and construction of existing and new dams, reservoirs, and hydraulic structures.    
  • Develop engineering proposals and qualification statements.
  • Prepare and review of design calculations, engineering reports, construction drawings, and technical specifications.
  • Manage client relationships.
  • Perform project management activities including planning and delegating work, managing project budgets, invoicing, communicating resource needs and reporting backlog.
  • Work as a team member within the Seattle office, and across Schnabel to effectively balance workload among available resources.
  • Train and mentor junior engineers.

Required Skills/Experience:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or other related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program
  • 10+ years of relevant work experience in civil engineering; work may consist of geotechnical analysis and design, geologic engineering, engineering geology, or hydrologic/hydraulic analyses, structural engineering, or other related field with specific emphasis in dam design or dam safety
  • Licensed Professional Engineer or Engineering Geologist and the ability to obtain reciprocity
  • Experience and knowledge of applicable state and federal dam safety design methodologies, policies, and regulations
  • Experience/proficiency with common computer-aided analysis and modeling programs applicable to dam engineering
  • Experience preparing and reviewing construction drawings and technical specifications
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong communication and client forward personality
  • A strong work ethic and the desire to perform professionally at a high level
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team
  • Attention to detail and well-organized
  • Willingness to travel and oversee field work when needed
  • Experience in proposal development and contract execution
  • Experience with project and contract management

Desired Skills/Experience:

  • Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering or engineering Geology
  • Experience in construction/project scheduling
  • Experience in cost estimating
  • Previous FERC approval as IC, SME or field engineer on FERC regulated dams

Other Requirements:

  • Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record, and credit check
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening

The compensation range for this position is between $120,000 to $160,000.Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.